EASTLAKE PONY YOUTH BASEBALL MUSTANG/BRONCO DIVISIONS - LOCAL PLAYING RULES

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1 EASTLAKE PONY YOUTH BASEBALL MUSTANG/BRONCO DIVISIONS - LOCAL PLAYING RULES 1.1 Teams will be selected by draft, after skills assessment as referenced in Draft Rules. 1.2 All eligible players must appear on the official lineup card each game including status of each player: batting position, absent, injured, league discipline. All players present at game time must comply with rule 1.3, unless the official scorekeeper is notified prior to the start of the game that a player is either absent, injured or on league discipline. Line-up cards shall be completely (first and last names, uniform number and position number of pitcher and catcher) filled out in triplicate fifteen minutes prior to the start of the game and distributed to the opposing manager and official scorekeeper. 1.3 A) MUSTANG: All players shall play a minimum of 2 complete innings of each regular game. B) No player shall sit more than two consecutive innings. If a player sits two consecutive innings, that player must play the next two consecutive innings in the field. 1.4 It shall be the responsibility of both managers to see that the proper substitutions are made. If, in the opinion of the Chief Scorekeeper (or another board member without a conflict of interest if the Chief Scorekeeper has a conflict of interest, e.g., a player in the same division), a player on a team does not play a minimum of designated innings as required by Eastlake Pony eligibility rules, the game shall be forfeited by that player s team. A ruling by the Chief Scorekeeper may be requested at any time during the season. 1.5 The Player Agent must be notified within 72 hours by the manager of any team member not meeting minimum playing requirement time. 1.6 The Player Agent and Division Representative shall be notified as soon as possible of any discipline problems occurring on any team. It is the responsibility of the Division Representative, Player Agent and Manager to initiate and enforce league disciplinary actions. 1.7 In the event a player must leave the game due to illness or injury, there is no penalty. a) The next batter in the lineup is substituted for the injured/ill player and assumes the injured batter s count. No out is recorded for this at bat. All remaining players lower in the batting order after the injured player, move up one position. b) If a player leaves the game for any reason other than injury or illness, the team must take an out each time the missing player s position comes up to bat.

2 1.8 Players that choose to play in any other organized sport at the same time as playing in Eastlake Pony Youth Baseball Spring Season may have their privilege to participate in the Memorial Day Tournament and All-Star Tournaments suspended if player participates in less than 50% of games (subject to Board approval). 2. TEAM ROSTERS 2.0 It is recommended that no team shall exceed twelve players on the roster. The preferred number of players is 11. Final rosters are at the discretion of the Division Rep and President. 2.1 Additional sign-ups after the draft are the responsibility of the Player Agent. Players will be placed by vacancy or draft rotation at the discretion of the Player Agent in the attempt to maintain balanced teams. 2.2 Managers shall notify the Player Agent of any team vacancies within 24 hours from the time the manager is notified. 2.3 The Division Rep and/or Player Agent shall have the responsibility of assigning to a team any player that has not been assessed. The purpose of this rule is to ensure balanced teams and to avoid stacking a team. Exception: In the event a team s roster is unbalanced, the manager must accept the next player assigned by the Division Rep and/or Player Agent from the waiting list (manager does not have right of refusal). The Division Rep/Player Agent shall act in the league s best interest to assign/add 1 or more players. Any such decision may be subject to board approval. 2.4 Roster replacements will not be made until contact between the parent and the Player Agent is made. 2.5 Free substitution rule shall apply. Exception: Pitcher position cannot be freely substituted. This rule does not supersede rule Each team may or may not bat through the line-up of eligible players. Clarification: if a player is not present by the start of the game you may 1) keep the player in the lineup but take an out each time the player s position comes up to bat if the player is not present, if the player shows up late, the player enters the game in the batting order listed in the lineup; 2) scratch the player with no penalty prior to that player s at bat. If you scratch the player and the player shows up late, you may not re-enter the player into the lineup. 2.7 It is the policy and desire of the league that managers and coaches do not cause players to be alienated resulting in a player s absence. When an opposing manager believes that a manager or coach has caused a player to be alienated, the Board shall be notified. The situation will be investigated and the Board may take action to discipline the offending manager or coach. Penalties may include

3 disallowing the offending manager/coach from participating in the Memorial Day Tournament or All Star Tournaments. Any team playing with 2 players less than the opposing team is subject to review. The Division Representative, with the approval of the Eastlake Pony Board, can change this rule only before the start of the season, and/or half way through the season. 2.8 If there are two outs and the next inning catcher is on base, the manager has the option of taking the catcher off base and putting the last out on as a runner to save time. 3. GAME RULES: The official playing rules, with the exceptions and variations contained in these rules, shall be Official Rules of Major League Baseball completely revised, as released through the office of the Commissioner of Baseball. PITCHING RULES 3.1. Refer to Pitch Smart Guidelines: Pitchers may finish current batter after maximum pitches have been thrown. NOTE: PONY defines a calendar week as 12:01 am Monday to 12:00 midnight the following Sunday. 3.2 Game time limitation: MUSTANG: No inning shall start after 1 hour 45 minutes of play has elapsed. If an inning starts before the 1 hour 45 minutes, both halves of the inning will be completed, regardless of the time limit. If a regular season game is still tied after time limit has been reached, the game will be recorded as a tie. BRONCO: League games shall be 7 innings. When a game is tied at the end of regulation length, it shall go into extra innings until a decision is reached or the game is called by the umpire. 3.3 Ten run rule: MUSTANG: If a team is leading its opponent by at least 10 runs after 4 or more innings, the game shall be terminated and the team leading declared the winner. BRONCO: If a team is leading its opponent by at least 10 runs after 5 or more innings, the game shall be terminated and the team leading declared the winner The PONY baseball rule for base stealing shall apply for the entire season for Mustang. Runners at first and second bases may lead off and steal bases, as in Official Baseball Rules, but runners at third base shall remain in contact with the base from the time the pitcher steps on the rubber with possession of the ball until the pitched ball has been hit or has reached or passes the batter. Once the pitcher has stepped on the rubber, in possession of the ball, runners at third base who leave base before the pitched ball reaches or passes the batter shall be called out and the pitch shall be considered a dead ball.

4 3.5. For Mustang only: catchers cannot catch for more than 4 innings in a single game The dropped third strike rule will be enforced as per MLB rules Intentional walks will be enforced as per MLB rules. 4. EQUIPMENT & UNIFORMS 4.1 For Bronco: Steel cleated shoes are permitted. 4.2 Players, managers or coaches who throw a bat, helmet, catcher s mask or any other equipment in a fit of anger during game, may be ejected from the game by the umpire. 4.3 All players, managers, and coaches on the field must be in a baseball uniform. A maximum of four uniformed coaches, including the manager, allowed on the field of play at any one time during a game. At no time will a non-uniformed parent or coach be allowed to coach on the field, including first and third base coaching boxes. In an emergency (no coaches/manager present by game time) a nonuniformed parent may assist as a coach but must remain in the dug-out at all times. Uniformed players may coach in the first and third base coaching boxes. The non-uniformed parent may not be outside the dug-out. 4.4 Managers and coaches must be in full uniform during all league games. Uniforms to consist of league furnished hat and shirt. Baseball pants, belts and socks are to be furnished by individual players, managers, and coaches. 4.5 No hitting aids are allowed during games. 5. SAFETY RULES 5.1 Helmets with masks and throat protectors must be worn by all catchers during practices, games and anytime they are warming up a pitcher. Catchers must wear a protective mask and protective cup. 5.2 If in the umpire s judgment, if without the ball or without the ball being in route to him/her, a player fakes a tag for the purpose of causing a runner to slide, he/she is to be warned first. Subsequent offenses may result in ejection at umpire s discretion. 5.3 The umpire may use his discretion to discipline any player who displays inappropriate behavior during the game. If an offensive player, it shall be an out and possible ejection. 5.4 All players while in route to home plate, must slide or avoid contact, if there is any reasonable chance that a play will be attempted at the plate. Failure to do so in the umpire s judgment, will be an out.

5 5.5 If in the umpire s judgment, the batter throws the bat the batter will be warned for the first offense. For any subsequent offenses, the batter will be deemed out, the ball is dead, and all runners will return to their previous bases. 5.6 Protective cups must be worn by all male players during games. 6. SUSPENDED, CANCELED OR INCOMPLETE GAMES 6.1. Games which are played long enough to become an official game (per official PONY rules (Mustang 4, Bronco 5) and are tied at the suspension of play, shall be be declared a tie and each team awarded ½ point in the standings Games which are canceled shall be made up the next available Sunday as long as 48 hours notice is provided. For example: if a game is rained out on a Monday Thursday, the rescheduled game will be played the following Sunday. If the game is rained out on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, the rescheduled game will be played one week from the next Sunday. At the discretion of Division Representative, failure to agree with the date or dates scheduled will result in a forfeit(s). 6.3 A team must have 8 players to start a game. A team submitting a line-up with only 8 players, or the line-up being reduced to 8 players, shall take an out each time the vacant position is due at bat (superseded by rule 2.7). 6.4 Time Limits (does not apply for last game of the day): For Bronco: no new inning after two hours. For Mustang: no new inning after one hour and forty five minutes. 7. ADDITIONAL PENALTIES 7.1 If a Manager will not be able to field a participating team for a scheduled game, the Manager shall provide proof to the Division Representative at least 48 hours prior to game time. At the discretion of the Division Representative, the game will then be rescheduled. The Division Representative has the authority to forfeit a game if a team is consistently unavailable for makeup options. 7.2 When a player has missed 2 consecutive games without a valid excuse, the Player Agent shall be contacted immediately and he or she will warn the player that repetition will result in his/her suspension. The Manager shall contact the Player Agent to investigate the absences. The Player Agent has the ability to suspend and/or bench the player for 1 game. Further suspensions must be reviewed by the Board. 7.3 There will be no physical or verbal abuse tolerated on the playing field. Verbal abuse includes, but is not limited to verbally belittling a player, untoward language or excessive yelling at the players. Any violation of this rule, upon receipt of a complaint, will be investigated by the Player Agent, Division Representative and President. If after investigation, the Player Agent, Division Representative and President determine that further action is necessary, it will be addressed as soon as possible. The Division Representative with the President s approval may take

6 whatever action deemed appropriate to Eastlake Pony best interest. Coach/Manager has right to appeal in person at next scheduled Board Meeting. 7.4 Any adult participant ejected from the playing field by an umpire shall be suspended from that team s next official game and will have no contact with the team on the field before and during the game. The offending adult may be asked to appear before the Board of Directors to explain his or her actions. In addition, any adult ejected twice in one season can only be reinstated by a majority vote of the Board. 7.5 Any player participant ejected from the playing field by an umpire shall be suspended from that team s next official game. 7.6 All suspensions are subject to appeal by the Board. 8. MANAGER AND COACHES 8.1. Team Managers shall sign for all equipment and uniforms assigned to their team and shall be responsible for their return to the Equipment Manager no later than 1 week after the season s last game. 8.2 Managers shall recognize the fact that the youth of today have many interests outside of baseball. No youth will be required to attend more than 2 mandatory practices during any one week. 8.3 Each team will be allowed one (1) Manager and one (1) Official Coach. A Manager may name an Assistant Coach and Team Parent after teams are selected. All Managers and Coaches are required to present yearly background checks by opening day. A new background check will be required each season. This rule applies to regular season, tournament play, and winter ball. No manager or coach will be allowed on the field for games or practice after opening day until the background check is received and verified by the Division Representative. Note: any background checks that report a positive hit, will be evaluated by the Eastlake Pony Board on a case by-case basis. 8.4 Each team is responsible to maintain a clean dug-out at all times. The home team will prepare the field before each game, including dragging, watering, setting up bases, and chalking. The home team of the last game of the day must dismantle the field, including removing bases, repairing the mound, watering and dragging the field, and cleaning up the dugouts. Failure to follow the above rules will result in forfeiture of practice time. 9. SEASON PLAY 9.1 The season shall be divided into two parts; first part being end of regular season and second part being end of season tournament. 9.2 In the event of a tie in the first part, the winner is determined by: 1. Head to head record

7 2. Least runs allowed (between tied teams) 3. Most runs scored (between tied teams) 4. Forfeits are considered a score of In case of a game that ended in a tie, the score is considered a 3-3 tie (3 points awarded to each team). 6. A double forfeit will result in a 0-0 score. (0 points awarded to each team) 9.3 The season championship shall be decided by a tournament played at the end of the season. All teams shall be in the post season tournament. Teams will be seeded based on best overall record at the end of the season. Note that rule 9.2 will be used to determine tie-breakers in case of ties at the end of the season in order to rank teams for seeding in the tournament bracket. The end of year tournament shall be a full double elimination tournament The first place team in the end of the year tournament and team with the best overall record during regular season will be awarded trophies The second place team in the end of the year tournament will be awarded medals. 9.4 If any team member abandons or quits during the regular season or tournament play, then that team member is ineligible to be nominated or play on any tournament or all-star team for one year (subject to review by the board). 10. TOURNAMENT AND POST SEASON PLAY Regular season local Eastlake Pony rules will be followed during post season tournament play. General PONY pitching rules shall apply. However, local Eastlake Pony pitch count rules shall supersede the PONY rules as follows: for Mustang only: catchers may catch for more than 4 innings per game during the end-of-season tournament The manager of the team that wins the first part of the season shall be eligible to manage the Memorial Day tournament team of his choice. The manager of the second place team at the end of the first part shall be eligible to manage next selection of the next tournament team (and so on). If a managing vacancy arises due to the manager(s) declining to manage a team, the vacancy will be filled by a majority vote of the managers in the division The manager of the team that wins the end of season tournament shall be eligible to manage the All Star tournament team of his choice. The manager of the second place team of the end of season tournament shall be eligible to manage next selection of the next tournament team (and so on). If a managing vacancy arises due to the manager(s) declining to manage a team, the vacancy will be filled by a majority vote of the managers in the division.

8 10.4. The Business Manager and Coach for each All Star team will be selected by the All Star Manager and approved by the Division Rep, Player Agent and League President (or appointed designee with no conflict of interest) before public announcement The players of the all-star and tournament teams will be selected as follows: The managers shall nominate players for the tournament teams. The managers will discuss the attributes of the players. The managers will then vote for players excluding players from their own team. The 10 players receiving the most votes shall be placed on respective team. The manager then nominates each subsequent player. Each subsequent player must be approved by a 50% or more vote of all of the managers. In the Bronco Division the 12U team will be selected first, followed by the 11U team, then the 12U (combination) team. In the Mustang Division the 10U team will be selected first, followed by the 9U team, then the 10U (combination) team At the first All-Star Team Meeting, selected players may elect not to play, or be moved to the other team only, if both managers agree and if the resulting team rosters do not exceed 15 players All-Star Tournaments provide an exciting opportunity for players, coaches and parents. Travel ball tournaments often conflict with all-star tournament play. The league must insure that all-star teams have the minimum number of eligible players to compete at all levels of all-star play. PONY rules mandate at least 9 (PONY rule in effect to govern number of eligible players) eligible players be available to compete in tournament play. The Division Representative shall determine the travel ball playing status of each potential all-star player. The Division Representative shall also determine the potential travel ball conflict for each player to ensure that there will be the required amount of eligible players to compete at all levels of all-star play. The All-Star rosters announced at the closing day ceremonies shall be consistent with the rules in this section. The league reserves the right to modify this rule at any regularly scheduled meeting prior to the June Board Meeting providing that notice is provided to the managers of each division Fund raisers are permitted, if approved by the operations committee, and those revenues may be used by the fund raising team. All-star funds will be maintained as part of the Eastlake Pony Youth Baseball Inc. savings account Parents are required to pay for the Memorial Day and/or All-Star Hat and Jersey Every player on a Memorial Day roster must bat at least once and play 2 innings in the field in a regulation length Memorial Day game. 11. DUGOUT AND FIELD REGULATIONS 11.1 Each team will police their dugout and surrounding area after each game.

9 11.2 No drinks (except water and sport drinks), alcohol, food, gum, sunflower seeds, food or tobacco are allowed in the dugout or on the field during practice or game time The home team shall prepare the field before the game by watering, lining and setting up the bases, and in the dismantling of the field upon completion of the game by removing the bases, repairing the mound and cleaning up the area. Dragging after practice, before and after a game is a must. Teams may lose their practice usage if maintenance is not done. 12. EASTLAKE PONY MUSTANG/BRONCO DIVISION REPRESENTATIVE 12.1 The Division Representative can make rule(s) changes in the best interest of the division with the Eastlake Pony Board approval.